Apatow film shot here

Milwaukee played host to its second Hollywood film last week when scenes from "Bridesmaids" were shot in the area. But like "Transformers 3," which filmed at the Milwaukee Art Museum, the visit was a brief one, since the tax incentive program is not significant enough to bring productions to the state.

The majority of "Bridesmaids" - co-written by "Saturday Night Live" star Kristen Wiig - was filmed in Chicago. But last Thursday and Friday a second unit crew was in the area shooting exteriors for the film, whose story is partly set here.

The production filmed exteriors at an apartment building at E. Homer St. and S. Kinnickinnic Ave. in Bay View; at Norm's One Step tavern at 3218 W. Cameron St., near Villard Ave.; a storefront at S. 10th and W. Mitchell St.; and they filmed some country roads in Germantown.

"Bridesmaids" is a relationship comedy about two women battling to stage their friend's wedding party.

It stars Rose Byrne, Wiig, Jon Hamm of "Mad Men" and former "SNL" comic Maya Rudolph. It is directed by Paul Feig and is produced by Judd Apatow, director of "The 40-Year Old Virgin" and "Knocked Up."

Feig also directed the cable series "Nurse Jackie," produced and directed "The Office," and produced and directed the shows "Freaks and Geeks" and "Undeclared," which Apatow created.

According to Dave Fantle, a Visit Milwaukee spokesman, a scout for the film called his office several months back looking for possible locations and props to be used in the film. But he said, most of the scenes set in Milwaukee were filmed elsewhere.

"Again," said Fantle, "a lack of incentives is a detriment to getting these projects here in a more meaningful way."

The film has reportedly wrapped production, and is due for release in May of 2012.

About Duane Dudek

Duane Dudek is a reporter and columnist covering radio and television. He also reviews movies.